How to get to the fuel tank sending unit ?

Witzend · Jul 10, 2011

You will need to remove the AC unit. Why is it there anyway, is it a window unit?
My Cruise Air unit, is in the outer forward section of the port cockpit locker with the return plenum facing down into the aft berth below it.

Maine Sail · Jul 10, 2011

First try tightening the sending unit bolts slightly. This can often stop the gasket from leaking without full removal of the sender..

New Horizons · Jul 11, 2011

Bob,

I believe you need a special torque wrench, T20, to remove the sending unit.
When I had a fuel problem, a mechanic removed the sending unit to check the fuel, and he needed a "T20" torque wrench.

Kevin

Witzend · Jul 11, 2011

The sending unit has very little head room above it and you will need a #2 stubby philips to get at them.

Witzend · Jul 13, 2011

You certainly can get there from being a contortionist from the cockpit hatch, but if it is like mine, you will need a stubby screw driver to get to the rear screws of the sending unit.

paulj · Jul 13, 2011

bobgelb@gmail.comm

Looks like you need a inspection port or an access hatch back in that area....use the money for the aux fuel shutoff valve to buy an inspection or emergency fuel shutoff access port.

During an inspection of my steering seal I found a problem with the steering cable.....good thing I have good access back there.

Just some thoughts

paulj :troll:

So Cal Gary · Jul 13, 2011

Fuel Tank Access and Cable Guard

bobgelb@gmail.com said:
OK...oil in bilge,traced it to a leak around the gasket around the fuel tank sending unit. But how is the best way to get to it to replace the gasket? I have a A/C unit so the door to the aft compartment is not available,
I can take off the wood panel (near the hot water heater)..but i can't reach back far enough...seems only way is to go Down head first in the aft starboard or port locker put probably need someone to pull me out. Anyone
Have any good tips to gain access to the fuel tank area ? I can't imagine what you would have to do to replace the fuel tank itself !
Thanks
Bob

Bob,
I just wanted to share a caution! It does appear that the easiest way to your fuel tank sender is "down from the top", from one of the two cockpit access hatches (most likely starboard). If you do that, have someone there with you--I say this from experience. One day I thought it time to check the hose clamps on the exhaust hose and worked my way down, and down, and down. Tightened clamps, and then tried to back out. Took quite a bit of doing and for awhile I thought it wasn't going to happen. I was eventually able to back out but swore I'd never, ever, do that again--at least not when alone. That hatch size is deceiving and I was so glad to not be stuck there, up-side-down, for days!:dance:
Paul J,
At commissioning, when the boat was new, I noticed the steering stop cable was precariously close to that fuel valve--dealer subsequently installed a wood block (see photo) to do what your fix does--keep the cable away. I was concerned the cable would get locked around the valve and then rip it out, spewing fuel in the bilge--wouldn't be fun. The fix has worked and I've not had any problem. C310 Owners reading this should take a look and take preventative measures accordingly.
Happy Sailing,
Gary

rpwillia · Jul 13, 2011

Access

I regularly climb down into that space to do work by just going feet first through the port locker, stepping on the shelf over the holding tank and then down into that bilge. I don't think I qualify as a little guy at 5'9 and 190, I'm just saying ...

Witzend · Jul 14, 2011

At commissioning, when the boat was new, I noticed the steering stop cable was precariously close to that fuel valve--dealer subsequently installed a wood block (see photo) to do what your fix does--keep the cable away. I was concerned the cable would get locked around the valve and then rip it out, spewing fuel in the bilge--wouldn't be fun. The fix has worked and I've not had any problem. C310 Owners reading this should take a look and take preventative measures accordingly.
Happy Sailing,
Gary[/quote]
That's good stuff Gary, I have always been concerned about that interference.

rpwillia · Jul 21, 2011

Question for Stu

Since I know Stu follows this forum, I thought I would ask him to look at PaulJ's pictures and see if he could tell us which fitting would have the screen that is discussed in the other thread as PaulJ was nice enough to post pictures. That was on my spring commissioning list that just got lost in the other higher priority things (engine is running great).

Stu Jackson · Jul 22, 2011

Ray, can you give me a more specific link or direction to the particular picture you are referring to, so I can help out?

rpwillia · Jul 22, 2011

A or B

Here is a follow up for Stu. I am thinking the filter/screen should be on A or B. Your thoughts?

Stu Jackson · Jul 23, 2011

Ray, sorry I'm not that familiar with the "stuff" back there on your boats. The screen is at the end of the pickup hose that is the diesel fuel supply to the engine, which goes tank, primary filter, fuel pump, engine. You have to remove that hose from the inside of the tank to see what is at the end of it. Our reports are that Catalina continued putting them in until 1994.

rpwillia · Jul 24, 2011

Thanks Stu

I will check it out next time I get to my boat and post here what I find.

How to get to the fuel tank sending unit ?

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